Glyn set to take charge at massive FE college

ONE of Wales’ biggest further education providers has appointed its new principal and chief executive.

ONE of Wales’ biggest further education providers has appointed its new principal and chief executive.

Glyn Jones will take charge of the new Grwp Llandrillo-Menai in the new year following the retirement of Huw Evans.

Mr Evans will step down as principal and chief executive of Coleg Llandrillo Cymru – which will merge with Coleg Menai to become Grwp Llandrillo-Menai – next month, having led the Llandrillo institution for 22 years.

Coleg Llandrillo Cymru was established last year through the merger of Coleg Llandrillo in Conwy and Denbighshire and the smaller Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor in Gwynedd.

Coleg Llandrillo Cymru is now one of the largest colleges in Wales, with about 1,300 staff and more than 21,000 students at nine campuses. It spans three counties and has an operating budget of £45m.

Following his appointment, Mr Jones will be closely involved in preparations for April’s planned merger between Coleg Llandrillo Cymru and Coleg Menai.

Born and brought up in North Wales, Mr Jones is a fluent Welsh speaker who originally qualified in law. A former lecturer at Llandrillo College, he became an assistant principal before moving to his current post as principal of Pembrokeshire College in March 1998.

John Bellis, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru Corporation chairman, said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process with candidates of the highest calibre, the joint search panel of governor representatives are delighted that Mr Jones has accepted the post of chief executive. We look forward to working with Mr Jones as he leads our very successful college into the next exciting stage of its development with the planned merger.”

Mr Jones added: “I am absolutely thrilled at being offered this exciting and challenging role, and look forward to working with two colleges of the highest calibre in Wales as they move towards becoming a single entity.”

Coleg Llandrillo and Coleg Menai formally agreed to collaboration in July and transformation of further education in the region is set to take place by April.

Subject to Welsh Government approval, the merged college will be one of the largest in the UK with 2,000 staff, 34,000 students, and a turnover of more than £70m.

It will operate from 14 campuses, its operations spanning Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

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